DMK and AIADMK Raise Opening of Mettur Dam for Delta Irrigation in Assembly

The opening of the Mettur dam for Cauvery delta irrigation was raised in the Tamil Nadu Assembly in Chennai during a calling attention motion, with legislators across party lines seeking clarity on when water would be released for farming operations.

DMK MLA Govi Chezhiaan pointed out that farmers in the Cauvery delta districts were waiting for the release of water and sought an official timeline from the government on when the dam's sluices would be opened.

Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami stated that the AIADMK had already submitted a calling attention motion on the matter. He noted that water had not been released for kuruvai cultivation, causing difficulties for delta farmers.

Referring to earlier remarks by the water resources minister that water had been withheld due to inadequate storage, Palaniswami said inflows into the reservoir had since improved. He questioned whether water would be released for samba cultivation and sought an exact date.

Palaniswami urged the government to notify farmers at least 15 days in advance of any water release so they could carry out necessary preparatory work in their fields.

Responding to the discussion in the House, Water Resources Minister Anand stated that "good news" regarding the opening of the Mettur dam would be announced soon.